1. From figure 8.1 in the text, select one of the interest groups and do some research on their issues and beliefs. What did you learn? What did you find interesting? Do you agree/disagree with their positions on issues? Why?
I chose the AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees). They have many issues that they are involved in such as privatization, health & safety, women’s/Fair Practices and Labor-Management Forums, to name a few. I learned that they are involved in a lot of things and feel strongly about all of them. One of the things that I found interesting is that under their list of issues, they had military leave list. This is one of the things that I do agree with. I do believe that if a person has been on military leave, they are entitled to some benefits for their service. I do not agree with their stance on Unionization.
2. Find an interest group with which you associate (positively). What is the name of the group and what do you find persuasive about their position on issues?
I chose the UAN (United American Nurses). While I once again, do not believe in unions I do believe in their stance. They offer a wide variety of services and information to nurses that may not be available in other places. Nursing is a hard career and I do believe that it is a career that does not pay as good as it should based on the work they perform. Nursing is an under appreciated job that needs to have more incentives in my book. It is nice to see that they have a support system that allows them some accesses to resources that will help them alleviate some of their stresses and concerns.
3. Do interest groups have enough/too much/the right amount of power in the political system? Most believe it's a fine-line balance between freedom of speech for the groups and keeping unfair persuasion out of government. Where is that line and when is it crossed?
I believe that the interest groups and the amount of power they have depends on the individual groups. Not all of them have enough power while others have too much power. I do believe that based on some of the research, some unions have too much power and it gives way for them to cross the line. I believe that when the interest groups push so hard that it causes people to loose jobs, such as striking and things like that, they have crossed a fine line between helping people and hurting them. I am not sure that I would support any interest group where I would feel so strongly that I would support a strike or where I would try to speak on the behalf of all. Having said that, there are some that would otherwise not speak for themselves and need the interest groups to speak for them.
Please also comment at least 50 words each on at least three of your classmates' posts and then post on your own blog the names of the classmates whose blogs you commented on.
Tinisha Key
Robert Cook
David Kunsman
I had no idea there was an interest group that supports milatry. That was good to hear. And, yes, there are benefits and harms of interst groups. Just as they desire to help, they also hurt, and you are right to say that this varies from group to group and the amount of power that each group has.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on answer #2 about nurses. My mom is a nurse and a surgical tech on the Cookeville Regional Heart Team. She works very long hours and is tied down to a beeper on call constantly. I believe the majority of positions in the medical field are very hard work. I feel like nurses are the back bone of the doctors and thry do not get the recognition they deserve. I believe organizations like UAN are very important to their career a because they provide many informative resources.
ReplyDeleteI agree that some interest groups have too much power and influence while some have too little. I also agree that the ones that cross the line are often the ones with too much power when what they stand for takes away other citizens' rights and also their jobs as you stated.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the military should have benifits when they leave service. I also think that they should be able to get a job where they are treated with respect and not frowned upon. Nurses are deeply under paid and under appreciated. They help save lives just as much as doctors and they should also be treated with great respect. Nurses do things that other/ordinary people wouldn't even dare to do. I also agree with the last section of your post too. very good job.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that military should have benifits when they leave the service. I think they should get a good job and not come out of service and get a fast food job. They just be looked upon for their good deeds they did for our country.
ReplyDeleteBeing retired military i sure agree that they should be taken care of. These mostly young men and women give their all and are often forgotten once they return home. Any interest group that supports them has my vote and I would love to see more interest groups take up this issue and work to give these kids the respect they deserve when they return home.
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